Hesson’s conduct sparks Pakistan dressing room rift as players lodge complaint; PCB prepares official warning: Report

Pakistan players have raised questions over Mike Hesson's "planning, authority and man-management" during the course of the T20 World Cup.

Updated on: Mar 4, 2026, 14:43:11 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Pakistan's white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, has come under fire in the wake of the team's elimination from the Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. After the reported resignation of Pakistan selector Aleem Dar, who cited Hesson's control over selection matters as an issue, a fresh report has emerged claiming that the head coach's conduct also bothered some players during the T20 World Cup, prompting the PCB to receive several complaints.

Pakistan cricket team's head coach Michael Hesson, (AP)

According to a report in Geo News, players have raised questions over Hesson's "planning, authority and man-management" during the course of the World Cup. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to sack him immediately based on the complaints, senior officials have begun reviewing his conduct and examining the tour report before holding a detailed discussion with the New Zealand coach. The report further stated that the PCB is preparing to formally warn Hesson that "flawed planning and unilateral decision-making harmed the team’s performance."

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Well-placed sources told the Pakistani publication that Hesson's growing authority has been an issue for both the selection committee and captain Salman Agha, with the coach exercising sweeping control over team affairs. In fact, this was reportedly the same reason Dar resigned from the selection committee.

Notably, there was a clip from the World Cup campaign in which Agha was seen visibly frustrated with Hesson in the dugout. Although Pakistan brushed aside the speculation, the Geo News report claimed that "several Pakistan players are said to have individually approached PCB officials to complain about the coach’s behaviour."

The report also stated that Hesson's authoritative nature unsettled the Pakistan dressing room, with the head coach making key decisions without consulting the captain and interfering in various aspects of team management. It was reportedly his call to keep Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay and Abrar Ahmed out of the playing XI until they featured in the final outing against Sri Lanka.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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